Research Associate - Open Rank

University of Massachusetts Medical School•Worcester, MA

3d•$40,000 - $73,000

About The Position

Under the direction of the Principal Investigator (PI) or designee, the Research Associate provides operational support to the laboratory and performs research experiments as defined by the PI. This is an open-rank position with four Research Associate levels; candidates will be hired at a level commensurate with their experience. The role is based in the Flow Cytometry Core Facility at UMass Chan and supports investigators in the UMMS research community by providing high-quality flow-cytometry services for a wide variety of research projects. The Research Associate develops and maintains proficiency with state-of-the-art fluorescent cell-sorting and analysis platforms. On-the-job training is provided, and career development activities are encouraged. Other duties are performed as scheduled or needed. The position calls for someone able to work with minimal supervision and collaborate with a wide range of researchers in a service-oriented environment. Candidates should be comfortable working independently and as part of a team. Fluency in spoken and written English is required; strong interpersonal, listening, teaching, communication, problem-solving, organizational, and hands-on mechanical skills are preferred.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Biological or Natural Science, or equivalent experience.
Basic understanding of laboratory safety and protocols.
Knowledge of Microsoft Office products.
Ability to analyze data quantitatively and objectively.
Ability to work in a team environment.
Research Associate II: 18 months of relevant research experience with a bachelor’s degree in Biological or Natural Science, or no experience with a related master’s degree.
Research Associate III: 3 or more years of relevant research experience with a bachelor’s degree in Biological or Natural Science, or 1 year of relevant experience with a related master’s degree.
Research Associate IV: 5 or more years of relevant research experience with a bachelor’s degree in Biological or Natural Science, or 3 or more years of relevant experience with a related master’s degree.
Fluency in verbal and written English.

Nice To Haves

Strong people and social skills, including listening, teaching, and communication.
Good problem-solving and organizational skills.
Hands-on mechanical aptitude and a “can do” attitude.
Ability to work well with minimal supervision and with a wide variety of researchers in a service-oriented environment.
Comfort working both independently and as part of a team.

Responsibilities

Perform laboratory experiments and, depending on level, manage or contribute to one or more research projects.
Use software relevant to the experiments and equipment.
Interpret data, draw conclusions, and determine next steps under the PI’s direction or, at higher levels, with greater independence.
Maintain accurate research records and detailed laboratory notebooks; record results according to laboratory, sponsor, and university protocols.
Review relevant literature, publications, and grants.
Assist with data analysis and mathematical computations; at higher levels, perform in-depth analysis and prepare data for publication.
Present findings at laboratory or group meetings.
Prepare and label buffers, media, and solutions; monitor or manage laboratory supplies and place orders as appropriate to level.
Assist with or manage laboratory equipment maintenance, service contracts, and scheduled or unscheduled maintenance, including data backup.
Perform daily quality control, monitor instrument performance, and troubleshoot flow-cytometry instruments, software, and peripherals.
Contact and interact with vendor service and field service engineers as needed.
Assist with, comply with, monitor, or enforce safety regulations and infection-control standards, as appropriate to level.
Train on applicable IACUC, IRB, EHS, and radiation-safety protocols, as specified for the role.
Draft, identify, develop, or implement standard operating procedures and research protocols in compliance with EHS regulations and with PI approval where required.
Identify laboratory problems and challenges, propose resolutions, and implement appropriate solutions.
Train and mentor laboratory personnel; higher-level roles may direct research support staff.
At higher levels, manage laboratory operations, personnel, procedures, projects, spending, and operational or budget aspects of grants and contracts.
At higher levels, contribute to manuscript and grant writing and negotiate with vendors to optimize resources.
Comply with applicable state, federal, university, and sponsor policies and agreements.
Perform other duties as required.